Description

STMicroelectronics (ST) has announced the VL53L0, a second-generation laser ranging smart sensor based on the successful FlightSense™ technology, enabling faster, farther and more ranging capabilities, significantly improving the photo performance of mobile phones and tablets, and opening up new application opportunities for the smart robotics, user detection, drones, IoT and wearable device markets.

The 4.4 x 2.4 x 1mm form factor makes the VL53L0 the world's smallest ToF (Time-of-Flight) module and a rangefinding smart sensor with an integrated 940nm VCSEL light source, SPAD photon detector and an advanced microcontroller that manages the entire rangefinding function. Marketed as a module with 940nm emitted light, together with an advanced infrared filter, the VL53L0 has industry-good ambient light immunity, reducing the effect of ambient light to. In end product applications, embedded microcontrollers and digital algorithms can minimize the host processing load and system power consumption.

ST's technological advances in ToF sensors are bringing a better user experience to tens of thousands of consumers, revolutionising the way they take photos and videos with their smartphones and tablets," said Eric Aussedat, general manager of ST's Imaging Products Division. ST introduced its fully integrated ToF rangefinder smart sensor in 2014, which has since been successfully used by several OEMs for laser-assisted autofocus functions. Today, with the introduction of the next generation VL53L0, ST is setting a new performance benchmark for ranging products, opening up new opportunities for developers to develop new applications in the smart robotics and IoT markets."

The VL53L0 is capable of completing all measurement operations in a single frame, in typically less than 30ms and at a distance of less than 2m. Such ranging performance allows the camera system to focus instantly in camera and burst mode, and even maintain the same performance in low-light or low-contrast scenes, which would be a great challenge for camera systems not equipped with ToF technology for low-light or low-contrast scenes. Thanks to its excellent ranging, the VL53L0 can also boost the performance of smartphone applications, including dual-camera depth maps. ST's VL53L0 module is simple to use (6 active pins), offers an I2C interface and comes with a full set of API drivers and technical documentation, making system integration fast and easy. The module package supports the reflow process, is RoHS compliant and is fully compatible with a wide range of glass covers and designs.